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How to help when an autistic child is missing

By WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON — It’s always scary when a child goes missing, but when children with autism wander off, the people looking for them face special challenges.

Now, a new public service campaign asks you to help, and gives advice on how to do it.

One in 68 children has some form of autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more and more of those children are being reported missing, says John Ryan, CEO of the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“In the last two years alone, the National Center has received over 300 reports of autistic children who have gone missing,” Ryan said at the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday.

And 43 of those children, he said, died before they could be rescued.

According to the public service announcement from the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, half of children with autism wander off and are reported missing at some point in their young lives.

Ryan said children with autism are often drawn to settings or objects that can put them in danger — “bodies of water, a highway sign, a Metro train” — and their condition makes them more difficult to find, as well: “Many [autistic children] are non verbal, and unable to respond to searchers.”

And children with autism, Ryan says, may find the very methods used to help find them frightening.

“Some want to escape loud noises, bright lights or other activities that may upset them, and yelling the child’s name or using search dogs or ATVs and helicopters may actually drive them further away.”

Ryan made reference to the case of Michael Kingsbury, a D.C. 7-year-old who wandered away from his home and hid in a parked car, where he was later found dead, despite the search that had gone on all around him. Ryan pointed out it’s not unusual for children with autism to seek out quiet, isolated places when scared or upset.

Speaking at the National Missing Children’s Day ceremony, Ryan unveiled the new public service announcement, narrated by actress Holly Robinson Peete, who has an autistic son. In the PSA, Peete asks, “If this were your child, would you want someone to get involved and help? Parents with children with autism do.”

The PSA urges adults to “remember the 3 S’s: stop to help; seek assistance from police; stay until they arrive.”

WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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